Some of the budget priorities passed into Fiscal Year 2021 adopted budget by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday’s meeting are those championed by Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin.
The Board of County Supervisors approved a budget that will increase the average Real Estate tax bill for county residents, netting additional money for the county budget that is now about $40 million lighter than it had been before the coronavirus outbreak, thanks, in part, to a collapse in sales tax revenues brought on the by the government-ordered shutdown.
In a press release, Franklin outlines what she says are wins included in the coming year’s budget:
These priorities include creating a Child Advocacy Center to help victims of child abuse, a housing assistance program to aid residents in rental assistance and creating a small business relief fund to help struggling small business owners. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, these budget items are crucial in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and supporting residents during this critical time. All of the budget proposals came with pre-determined offsets that did not require any new county spending.
FY21 Budget Priorities
Establishing a Child Advocacy Center
The Child Advocacy Center is a child-friendly place where professionals who provide treatment, investigate, and prosecute child abuse cases can coordinate their efforts. On average, CACs reduce the number of times a child must recount their abuse from 15 to 3. This model also save $1,318 per case in investigation and prosecution costs and provides four times more medical exams to victims of abuse.
PASSED with $1250,00 of funding coming from the General Fund.
COVID-19 Budget Priorities
Small Business Relief Fund
The Small Business Emergency Relief Fund is an initiative to support our small business community and provide immediate relief to those whose needs were not met by the Federal SBA loan program. This program will allow small business owners to apply for locally funded small dollar loans that would be reviewed by the Industrial Development Authority (IDA).
PASSED with “Up to 1 million dollars” of funding from the Economic Development Fund with the potential for a federal match.
Housing Emergency Aid Program
Housing Emergency Aid program supports our residents who are hit the hardest by the impact of COVID-19. This program will allow residents to apply for assistance with living expenses such as rent, if they meet specific application requirements.
This is separate from the federally funded Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance program, as this program has been on a ten-year waitlist and applications have remained closed. Supervisor Franklin hopes to provide more immediate relief to our residents during this pandemic.
PASSED with 500k from the “Affordable Housing Proffer Fund” with the potential for a federal match.
Housing our Homeless Population
Supervisor Franklin is supportive of our county’s efforts to help and house our homeless community, one of the most exposed and vulnerable populations during this pandemic. Individuals without stable housing face greater difficulty taking preventative actions and are often in poorer health than other residents. Now is the time to prioritize assistance to high-risk individuals and families, while providing safe temporary housing for individuals who need isolation and quarantine.
“I am proud to introduce these initiatives to help our most vulnerable residents. Now, more than ever, our county needs us to offer services that will benefit the health and well-being of all our residents and small businesses. As a board, we need to stand together and ensure we take care of Prince William County,” Supervisor Franklin said.
Recent Stories
A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed a midair collision at around 9 p.m. local time on Wednesday involving a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet and a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. The incident occurred while the Bombardier CRJ700, operating as Flight 5342 for American Airlines, was on approach to Runway 33 at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The flight had departed from Wichita, Kansas.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the investigation. Emergency responders are actively on the scene.
In addition to the response from the airport authorities, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has issued the following statement. At 8:53 p.m., multiple calls were received regarding an aircraft crash above the Potomac River. DC Fire and EMS, MPD, and several partner agencies have launched a search and rescue operation in the river. There is no confirmed information on casualties at this time.
Mike Berryman vividly recalls freezing nights in his prison cell, where the cold was so intense he could sometimes see his breath. On humid nights, he said, ice would form on the walls. By summer, the opposite was true — his cell became stifling, leaving him drenched in sweat, reports The Virginia Mercury.
Kings Dominion, the popular amusement park near Richmond, has announced that it will not be hosting its annual Winterfest event for 2025, despite earlier assurances to season pass holders. WinterFest, a festive holiday event that traditionally featured a dazzling light show, live performances, a petting zoo, and the opportunity to ride the park’s signature roller coasters, has been a seasonal favorite for years.
The cancellation, confirmed by WWBT-TV, comes after the event mysteriously did not appear on the park’s annual event schedule, which was released on Wednesday, January 29. Initially, Kings Dominion promised that admission to WinterFest would be included with the purchase of a 2025 season pass. The sudden absence of the event raised concerns among fans, prompting the park to address the matter publicly.
The ongoing debate over the construction of data centers in Fredericksburg took center stage during the City Council meeting on January 28, 2025, with residents and council members expressing mounting concerns about the potential environmental consequences and the lack of transparency in the approval process.
At the heart of the controversy is the city’s aggressive timeline for approving zoning changes and facilitating the development of new data centers. Local residents have voiced their concerns about the environmental impact of such large-scale projects, particularly in areas close to residential neighborhoods and natural resources like the Rappahannock River. While proponents argue that data centers could bring significant economic benefits, critics worry that the city is rushing to approve projects without fully understanding or addressing the long-term consequences.
Hamilton Palmer, a Fredericksburg resident, raised alarms about the transparency of the decision-making process. At the meeting, Palmer expressed frustration over the council’s handling of the issue, particularly regarding releasing information about the proposed data centers. “There has been little effort by the city to engage the public on data centers until this past year,” Palmer said, emphasizing that many residents are still unclear about the full scope of the projects and their potential impact on the community.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
